My wife and I stayed at Orchid Garden for 5 days in January. The rooms are spartan but clean, and the whole staff is great. It's 14 miles outside Belize City so no restaurants or shopping are nearby (but not needed). Their food was great (they take care of all meals) and the best thing is they arrange all excursion trips and transportation, from the time you land until they drop you at the airport or water taxi to leave. We were busy every day, all day, and everything was well coordinated. We enjoyed meeting other couples to travel to the excursions - cave tubing, zip lining, ATM (awesome), Tikal (incredible), and others. All transport and timing worked great. This is the place to stay to take advantage of all the activities around central Belize, but just know it is rustic and not what you might think of as a typical "all inclusive resort". Just know that and you'll be fine. We only drove through Belize City, and we're glad we didn't stay there. I think being out of town is much better, and you're closer to all the activities anyway, and pretty tired after all the adventure each day. Christine, Alvaro and his daughters, and Alfaro really work hard to ensure you have a pleasant stay. Have bug spray (it's the jungle!), and be prepared for some mud. Be prepared for shoes in the water (water socks) and a fair amount of hiking too (ATM, Tikal, Hanging Bridges, etc.). Highly recommend Orchid Garden to enjoy the adventures of the Belize jungles. For us, we then went to San Pedro for a few days of great beach resort relaxation.

My husband and daughter and I had planned this trip to Belize for several months and knew the moment we landed in Belize City and the driver from the Hotel promtly met us and even stopped at a local supermarket on our way to the hotel for some last minute items, the trip was going to be wonderul. Once we arrived at the Orchid Garden, we began to experience some of what Belize offered. Christine, the owner arranged our excursions each day, along with the driver and at no time did we feel rushed and were able to enjoy the zip tour, cave tour, mayan ruins, a day tour of Belize City, a night jungle walk (yes, really!) and she even arranged our tour to San Pedro to go snorkling and spend the night at a hotel along the beach. I would be remiss if I did not say how wonderful the food was at the Orchid Garden Eco Village. Four stars! Prepared fresh for each meal, letting us taste the local foods and fruit beverages, we looked forward to each meal. Christine arrange for the driver to meet us at the dock on the return trip to the airport with our lunch before heading the to the airport. The entire staff at the Eco Village takes pride in the positions, and teaching we the visitors about the jungle and all that is offered in Belize. They are truly a peaceful people with how they live and this is passed on to the visitors. Honestly, we would have liked a couple more days to enjoy our time in Belize!

Ok, this place is awesome if you want an all inclusive place, go on tours everyday and let someone else plan your vacation and think that is worth the money. (Their website has actually changed since we booked and are now much clearer about that)
This is NOT the place if you want to meet locals, go to a bar at night and pay good price.
They are indeed excellent in service, very nice and make great food.
But the place have probably seen the best years about 20 years ago. The rooms are not very nice.
So the place is great or not. It depends on what you want.
We stayed in 9 places in our vacation and this place was the only place where they charged for our 3 year old daughter (50%).

As an example of what a tour cost when you do it yourself: Wildlife New River Cruise & Lamanai Maya Ruin
We took the localbus to Orange Walk, booked the trip in a hotel for US$40 per adult person. As they charge you about US$100 per person + 50% for the child.
But some of you want it all set, then it is maybe worth paying extra. But if you do not have the money then this place it not the place for you.

My wife & I returned to Orchid Garden Eco-Village, this time with our daughter, who was home for spring break. Once again, I cannot give enough praise for this wonderful facility. Christine and her amazing staff make a trip to Belize not only an adventure, but made us feel like family during our entire stay. Alfredo is the best all-round guide: birds & flora, cultural events, Maya history- - -he knows it all! And Alvarro and his daughters, Lucretia & Carmelita, made us feel like long-lost relatives. Pedro drove us on our last day to the Baboon Preserve and allowed my daughter one of the most memorable experiences of her life, when she got to touch the hand of a live, wild howler monkey (safe, monitored and guided by the preserve staff)!

All of us were treated to every amenity in Belize, from the moment of airport pick-up to drop-off. Orchid Garden Eco-Village is all-inclusive (lodging, 3 meals-a-day plus snacks, day trips, and extended days and nights away from the facility are arranged and included in the price, as well). The traveler can customize his trip in any way he wishes. We toured 2 sets of Maya ruins, went on a cultural day trip touring Mennonite and Amish villages, went into the Maya mountains, birded, rode horseback through the jungle, went zip-lining in jungle canopy, spent 2 days at Ambergris Caye in a beautiful beach side resort, took a river boat trip up the New River and spent unhurried time at the Belize Zoo (got licked by a jaguar!) and had amazing meals every morning and evening during our stay at the Orchid Garden Eco-Village. All events were covered in our all-inclusive package! Not sure one could find a better deal anywhere and we're not going to try, for Orchid Garden has become our Belize home-away-from-home!

Christine will meet any dietary needs from vegan, vegetarian to poultry and seafood dishes. We dined on lobster, snapper and chicken and her soups, hibiscus tea and desserts are out of this world. All accompanied by other guests eating their choices in a dining area with a beautiful native mahogany wood table. Fresh local fruits and vegetables are provided with each meal and I don't think I've ever had a real banana in my life, until eating those from Belize! You just have to taste a Belize banana to realize that what we get in the US is just not the same. Not to mention papaya, mango and soursop ice cream (a must try)!

We have become so fond of Orchid Garden and Christine and her staff, that we are already planning our next trip to Belize. The grounds themselves serve as a sanctuary for native birds (50+ new species easily just walking the paths), iguanas, orchids, butterflies (including the beautiful, unreal- blue Morpho) and gardens of cashew, papaya and mango. Orchid Garden Eco-Village will remain our base for visiting the beauty of Belize. You may enter a visitor and stranger, but within minutes you will truly feel a friend for life!